Montevideo Middle School

Due to a water pipe burst, the Hawks Nest will be closed today. There is no Junior Thunder Hawks, Small World Nursery, or Childcare. We apologize for the inconvenience and we'll keep families informed about the status for tomorrow.

Happy National School Librarian Day! We appreciate the work of our school library staff in each of our schools: •MHS - Gabi Van Sickle •MMS - Allie Virnig •MES - Karla Peterson and Jessica Cantu Thank you for all you do for our students and staff!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Kristi Arndt! Kristi is the Special Education Assessment Coordinator for Montevideo Public Schools, and this is her fifth year in the district. Kristi’s hometown is Clinton, Minnesota. She graduated high school from Ortonville, Minnesota. Kristi received her undergraduate degree from SMSU in Marshall, Minnesota in K-6 Elementary Education and received additional special education licensures from NSU in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She received her Masters of Special Education from SMSU. Kristi has two daughters and a son. Kortni is studying for her Physical Therapy Assistant certification; Kenadi is a senior at Minneota High School, and she will be attending Bethany Lutheran where she will continue playing basketball and pursue a career in elementary education; Kyson is a sophomore at Minneota and loves to play football, wrestle and play baseball. Kristi’s favorite hobbies are attending her kids' events, reading and relaxing by a campfire with family and friends. A fun fact about Kristi is she taught first grade with De De Epema in the Hendricks school district, Hendricks, MN. Kristi says, “I love coming to work everyday and being part of the Thunder Hawk community!” We’re happy to have you on our team, Kristi! Thanks for all you do for our staff, students and families! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

Happy Paraprofessional Appreciation Day 2024! Paraprofessional Appreciation Day is celebrated the first Wednesday in April each year. THANK YOU to our paraprofessionals for the work you do each day to support our students, teachers, and schools! Enjoy your day!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Patrick Mauel. Patrick is our Head Custodian at the Montevideo Middle School. Patrick’s hometown is Appleton, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Maryland, and he served in the United States Air Force. Patrick and his wife Colleen have been married almost 11 years, and they have one daughter, Amelia. Outside of work, Patrick enjoys his walks with Amelia and playing Legos, board games and drawing with her. He enjoys traveling with his wife and going to concerts with her. Some of Patrick’s hobbies include wood carving, model making, painting and reading. Patrick enjoys coming to work at the middle school. He says the staff are truly great and a pleasure to work with, and the students are fun, polite and a joy to be around. A fun fact about Patrick is that he speaks Korean (although he may be a little rusty at it now). Thank you, Patrick, for taking such good care of our school, staff and students! Your dedication, tireless work, and attention to detail is greatly appreciated. #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

Due to the weather, Montevideo Public Schools will be closed today, Tuesday, March 26th. This will be an E-learning day. No Head Start, Small World Preschool, ECSE, Community Ed or school activities. Thunder Hawk Care will be closing at 4 p.m.

Due to the weather, Montevideo Public Schools will be opening 2 hours late tomorrow, Tuesday, March 26th. No morning sessions of ECSE, Small World Preschool or Community Ed activities. Thunder Hawk Care will be opening at 7 a.m.

Due to the weather, Montevideo Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, March 25th, 2024. This will be an E-learning day. No Head Start, Small World preschool, ECSE, Community Ed or school activities. Thunder Hawk Care will be opening at 7 a.m.

Happy School Social Work Week! This week we shine a spotlight on the dedicated professionals who play a pivotal role in enhancing the well-being and success of students across the nation. We celebrate and recognize the dedication and tireless efforts of school social workers, whose commitment to fostering positive school environments directly impacts students, administrators, teachers, parents, and the community at large. A special shoutout to the incredible school social workers in our school district making a positive impact every day! #SSWWeek2024 #ImpactInTheMaking #PearlsOfWisdom #HawkPride Char Dahl – Montevideo High School Todd Swedzinski – Montevideo Middle School Susan Marcinkowski – Montevideo Middle School Morgan Lenning – Sanford Elementary School Kris Kirkeby – Ramsey Elementary School Marissa Webb - MVALC

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER Friday, March 8 is an Early Dismissal-Staff Development Day. Sunday, March 10 is Daylight Saving Time. Spring ahead!

Reminder: Join us tonight for Letters & Art Night at Ramsey Elementary School! 5-6pm: Free pizza dinner, celebrate the art of your pre-K to 5th grader on display 5:30-6:30pm: Read with a "celebrity reader" guest, take home a new book We hope to see you at this free & fun family event!

We all want our children to work hard and learn to be responsible members of the community. Every day, our Montevideo Public School board members are leading the way by example. They give hours of their time so our children can have a first-rate education. Thank a school board member today!

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER NO SCHOOL - Friday, February 16 & Monday, February 19th Have a nice Presidents' Day Break!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Janelle DeZeeuw! Janelle is a Food Service/District Office Administrative Assistant. She started with the school district in 2017 as a part-time administrative assistant in the middle school office. She moved to her current, full-time position in the district office in 2018. Janelle grew up on a farm north of Montevideo, and she attended Ramsey Elementary School (K-5), Central Middle School (6-9), and Montevideo High School (10-12). Janelle’s husband Jim is a fuel transport driver for CHS. They have two adult boys, Adam and Tyler, who are both engaged to be married. Their youngest son lives and works in Montevideo, and their oldest son lives and works in the Twin Cities area. Janelle & Jim have one pet cat named Moose who tolerates them living in “his” house! Janelle’s hobbies include reading, puzzles, playing games, camping, snowmobiling, boating & ATV trail riding. She also loves to travel, exploring new areas of the state and country. She doesn’t always get her way, but when Janelle and her husband travel, she loves turning off the main route and trying a different way. She says, “You never know what memory you might make, or things you might see or learn about, by getting off the beaten path.” Your dedication and hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, Janelle. Thank you so much for all you do! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

HELLO FEBRUARY! SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER Friday, February 2nd is an Early Dismissal - Staff Development Day Friday, February 16 & Monday, February 19 - NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day Break

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! Shining in this week’s spotlight is Maddie Sletta. Maddie teaches seventh grade science at the Montevideo Middle School, and she is the head coach of the Thunder Hawk softball team. This year is Maddie’s seventh year teaching in Montevideo. Maddie is from New Ulm, Minnesota. She graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, and she received a Master’s degree from Western Governors University in Middle Level Science. Maddie and her husband Tom have a two-year-old son named Ray. They live on a hobby farm outside of town so they have many pets and projects to tend to. Maddie’s hobbies include coaching softball in the spring and summer, gardening, traveling, hunting, fishing and many other outdoor activities. Maddie says, “It’s been fun getting involved with the Thunder Hawk community and getting to know so many great people!” We’re proud to have you on our team, Maddie, and we appreciate your dedication to teaching and coaching and your years of service. Thanks so much for all you do! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER: Friday, January 19th - Early Dismissal Day and End of Quarter 2 Monday, January 22nd - No School

SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDER: Monday, January 15th - Staff Development Day No School for Students Friday, January 19th - Early Dismissal Day End of Quarter 2 Monday, January 22nd - No School

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Let’s get to know our Thunder Hawk staff! We are proud to shine this week’s spotlight on Brittany Zamora! Brittany teaches fifth grade at the Montevideo Middle School. She joined our team of educators in August 2015. Brittany’s hometown is Starbuck, Minnesota. She graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) with a degree in Elementary Education, and she received a Master’s degree from Western Governors University in Technology and Instruction. Brittany is a coach for both boys and girls swimming. Her husband Fernando is a math teacher at the Montevideo High School. They have a son named Kyzer and a black lab named Meeko. Brittany’s hobbies include swimming, spending time with family, going to the lake in the summer, fishing and baking. Brittany says, “It has been so much being a Thunder Hawk! It is a great community with awesome people who support each other.” We’re so happy to have you on our team, Brittany! Your hard work, dedication, and passion for teaching and coaching are truly appreciated! #StaffSpotlight #greatemployees #staffappreciation

On behalf of the Montevideo Public Schools School Board, we wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Have a safe and joyful winter break!